Nihilism

 
 

 

There are some beliefs

I find especially incredible

Like that particular understanding

That nothing is visible.

 

For example: what one sees

Is not really there,

It is what the mind perceives

Let the viewer beware!

 

An introduction to lawlessness

Insanity at the least,

A sort of: you really ate nothing,

You thought you had a feast.

 

A denial of objective reality

A sense that everything is unreal

Like taking mail from the postman

But there’s no postman or mail.

 

It’s like living out a dream

Where one never comes awake

And events whether good or bad

Are all illusory and faked.

 

A doctrine that is no doctrine

Since nothing in the world exists,

In fact, there is no world at all

So, strike that off your list.

 

No pain, no grief, no loss

Such illusions are of the mind,

A mind that has never existed

Not now or at any time.

 

 

This belief is ultra-amazing

And it actually has a name,

A name that is just as delusional

As its philosophical claims.

 

Nihilism is a psychotic belief

That knows no boundary or law,

Everything that is does not exist

Surely you can see the flaw.

 

Hence, there is no authority

Established or otherwise,

Its advocates can do as they please

No need to even disguise.

 

The emperor had to be a nihilist

Convinced he was wearing clothes

When in fact he was naked

From his head down to his toes.

 

A dangerous doctrine and belief

Nihilism would have to be

And any devoted nihilist

Would have to be too blind to see.

 

Stewart Russell © November 2, 2021

 

If Here and Now

 

 

 

If here and now is all there is

And there is nothing else beyond

Then we are free to be what we want

Up to the time we are gone.

 

But this is only if we believe

That life is only here and now,

If, however, we have some doubts,

To God we had better bow.

 

If here and now is all there is

Then suicide is a great escape,

For there is no chance of accountability

Hence, no eternal fate.

 

But that is only if we believe

That the grave is the end of it all,

For if there is a God that created us

There is a need to heed His call.

 

 

If here and now is all there is

It does not matter what we profess,

For sooner or later it will all be ended

And with it all that we possess.

 

But that is only if we believe

There is no one to answer to,

Somehow, I believe those of this type

Are merely pulling a bluff.

 

If here and now is all there is

Then God truly does not exist,

Hence, right and wrong is a human thing

It’s time for the paradigm shift.

 

But that is only if we believe

That there is no supreme being

And all that believe such nonsense

Must surely be dreaming.

 

  

 

If here and now is all there is

There can’t be a God that does not exist,

For this is a contradiction of sorts

That many unbelievers miss.

 

But that is only if we believe

In contradictions of sorts,

For then we belie our innermost thoughts

That urge us this nonsense abort.

 

If here and now is all there is

From whence did it come to be?

It seems we are flirting with nihilism

In which reality is not reality.

 

But that is only if we believe

That we exist only for this time,

Now you see why weird orientations

Now fill the human mind.

 

One day I am this, next day that,

Third day, the right to change back,

And the only reason I need to give

Is the urge to satisfy my lack.

 

I can do all things through me

That strengthens my resolve,

I need no God to guide or provide

It is around me that I revolve.

 

 

If here and now is all there is

Let’s be whatever we want to be,

The strong will surely outlast the weak

That’s the current reality.

 

Nothing will change though it has

And all things will remain the same,

All of reality will be authentic illusions

And the insane will never be insane.

 

But that is only if we believe

That the grave is our final destiny,

If such is the case, what an awful waste

Of such human ingenuity!

 

Stewart Russell © November 25, 2021